When armed soldiers were sent to Barrow during 1919's Railway strike

The industrial action lasted almost ten days from midnight on the night of the September 26/27 to October 5. 

This was part of a much bigger strike movement in Britain. That year strike days went up from six million in 1918 to 35 million with a total of 2.4 million British workers going on strike. 

The strike was triggered by the government’s announcement to reduce the rates of pay for railway workers.

Railways at this time were still largely under government control as were the coal mines. 

In a post-war industrial boom, men who had been serving at the front were quickly absorbed into ordinary jobs and there was a feeling of discontent among railway workers that sacrifices made during the war had not been acknowledged by the government.

There was a lot more dependence on the railways and trams in the early 20th century and soon enough the government relented, agreeing to maintain wages for another year.

Barrow family, The Sankeys, documented life in the town between the years of 1890 and 1970.

They covered subjects others did not, including photographs of people, ordinary people, in their working environment. 

They managed to capture the strike when the military were deployed to guard key installations around the country - including in Barrow.

In Furness, soldiers can be seen outside Barrow Central Train station with bayonets ready for any eventuality. 

Hordes of commuters can still be seen on the platforms waiting for trains that ran on a reduced schedule. 

Historic adverts can be seen in the station for the likes of Waverley pens, Lifebuoy Soap and Veno's Cough Cure.

Soldiers are also pictured guarding Furness Railway offices - including headquarters where children can be seen making conversation with them.

Volunteers took it upon themselves to clean locomotives to keep Barrow moving.

A team of 17 men were photographed sitting on Furness Railway Engine No. 24 - two of the men taking a break on the locomotive in another photo.

Anyone wanting to use the Sankey photos in a book, online or in an exhibition need to ask permission to use the photos from Cumbria Archives and there may be a charge.

Downloading images for personal use, however, is fine.  The full details on copyright are here: